Bruno Fernandes' impressive year has been recognised with a record-equalling fourth Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award - even if the Manchester United boss chose to cancel their awards dinner
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12:09, 16 May 2025
Man Utd's playmaker has been by far their outstanding player this term
(Image: Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes has been named the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award and in doing so makes Manchester United history. The United skipper has become the third player to win the award a record four times - albeit the club had no end of the season gig for him to claim it.
Fernandes has been a standout in has been a dire season, often carrying the team during their period of prolonged struggles. The Portuguese playmaker has stood up during the team's European campaign and could help the side end the year as Europa League winners.
He's continued to come up trumps in the final third and has 38 goal involvements - 19 goals and 19 assists - across his 54 games. But that has come amid a desperate domestic season that has United currently sat in 16th - by far their worst ever Premier League showing.
Traditionally United hold a huge gala dinner at Old Trafford for the men's, women's and youth teams at the end of each campaign, with awards handed out to the best performers of the season, but club bosses opted against one this term. Instead of the dinner it is expected that the awards will be handed out on the Old Trafford pitch prior to the club's final game of the season at home to Aston Villa.
Fernandes will still receive his individual accolade and it means he's landed the Player of the Year gong on four occasions - the same amount of David De Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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The decision to cancel the ceremony did receive some negative responses, considering the women's side secured a top-four finish and reached the FA Cup final, which will be played this weekend. It also prevented the club's youngsters from going on stage to pick up their honours, with Harry Amass named Young Player of the Year.
De Gea enjoyed a purple patch where he continued to be voted on top. He won it four times in five years with his first coming in 2014. Cristiano Ronaldo also won it four times, doing so in 2004, 2007 and 2008 before adding another during his second stint in Manchester.
Fernandes' wins came in 2020, 2021 and 2024 and he dominated the voting this time round with Amad in second and Harry Maguire in third. Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Brian McClair, Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy are the only other men with multiple Player of the Year victories since it was first awarded in 1988, bearing the name of their iconic manager.
Cristiano Ronaldo's individual gongs in Manchester have been matched by his compatriot
Cristiano Ronaldo's individual gongs in Manchester have been matched by his compatriot
Fernandes' quality has led to talk of interest from Saudi Arabia. Al-Hilal are ready to lodge a hefty offer, but the Premier League side have no plans to their talisman. The Saudi Pro League club have the funds for a mega signing after Mohamed Salah decided to stay at Liverpool, with talks being held about pursuing the Portugal star.
It is understood there was initial contact between the two parties last year before Fernandes signed a new contract to keep him in Manchester until 2027.
Only last month Ruben Amorim rejected the possibility of his talisman leaving for - underlining his importance as the club's captain and leading light. He said: "No, it's not going to happen. He's not going anywhere because I've already told him!"
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